Love is the First Character Quality of Christ in the Born Again Believer

Love is the first character quality of the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

We cannot have all the rest of the fruit without that first trait, the very essence of Christ.

One cannot die for to himself for a friend if he does not first have love.

Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the great and foremost commandment.

39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”

We cannot love others if we do not first love God and if we love Him we will love others.

We need no rules or laws when we have the fruit of the Spirit because we already operate according to the love of God within us with all His fruit.

Those who are following the commandments to be acceptable to God are not operating in the Holy Spirit. Their desire is to try to be good enough for Him, in their own power under their own rules.

Those who love the Lord with all their heart soul and mind live in the Fruit of the Spirit all the time. If they fail out of emotion or weakness they quickly confess to be cleansed and begin again living in this Fruit of Love.

1 John 1:9

"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

If we have been haughty, superior minded and ungodly, we will recognize it in ourselves and quickly confess to be cleansed. Those who never confess or will admit their wrong attitudes will not be cleansed and will walk without the fruit and without the love of Christ.

May we all keep close accounts of ourselves so that we will be the witness for the glory of the Lord continually.

2 Peter 1:10-11

"10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Hallelujah!!!!